Scaredy Squirrel

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Scaredy Squirrel
written and illustrated by Mélanie Watt
published by Kids Can Press (2006)
Roar Score: 4/5

Scaredy Squirrel is now the star of a multibook series, but this is where he started. If you’re not already familiar with the character or the books, get thee to the library or bookstore (or Amazon) and pick these up, pronto!

In short, Scaredy Squirrel is afraid of everything. He never leaves his tree, and he imagines the world–the Unknown–to be full of dangers that are out to get him. Dangers such as sharks, green Martians, killer bees, and germs!

Yes, of course we also have the Chinese version

Each day is the same routine, and Scaredy Squirrel is a-ok with that. He has an emergency kit and a plan in case something unexpected happens. And when something unexpected does happen? Well, panic obviously wins out. But, in the end, the Unknown isn’t as scary as he thought it would be. It’s still not great, but it’s not entirely horrible.

The book is very cleverly presented though lists (such as advantages and disadvantages of leaving the nut tree), numbered steps, and detailed plans. It also wins bonus points for being hilarious.

It’s not everyday that we find a children’s book that’s flat-out hilarious. Scaredy’s behavior is funny and sweet, and the jokes–though legitimately for kids–still work their charm on adults. Zoey will reliably laugh all the way through the book, no matter how many times she’s heard it. She has about half the book memorized–including all the best punchlines, which she delivers at exactly the right time.

And the art? We love it. The cartoony style is a perfect fit for the story, and we’re definitely fans.

Protip: the audiobook or book-and-CD version are well worth scoping out. (We found the latter at the library.) Scaredy’s voice is priceless, and the format of the book really lends itself to audio, even though it might not seem like it.